as in encountered
to come upon face-to-face or as if face-to-face
happened upon the hotel manager in the lobby and promptly complained about the room
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happened (upon)
Verb
-
Some people taking part in recent walkouts and demonstrations have encountered police skirmish lines, arrests.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026 -
Yet beyond the headline cities and endlessly recycled itineraries lies a quieter, deeper continent; one that’s best encountered through patience and a willingness to detour from the obvious itinerary.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The transitional committee, made up of Palestinian administrators, has met in Egypt but has not yet entered Gaza.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The scope of its ambition is met, at every turn, by deft control over what is witnessed, and how.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Happened (upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happened%20%28upon%29. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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